Inspiration Has Landed

 Well, we have a name for the madness that I am about to embark upon, thanks to Paul of the Mancave. 

The Frenetic Festive Frenzy of Finishing Forces (or 5F) has the alliteration that I find both Frivolous and Fulfilling.

5F kicks off on December 1 which traditionally in my house is also the beginning of Hawaiian shirt season. This year I designate December 1 as Hawaiian Hobby Day. The celebration of which consists of wearing a Hawaiian shirt, doing some hobby and perhaps eating some pineapple. But not on a pizza because that is weird.

I received some inspiration in the post this week in a copy of Lion Rampant 2nd Edition. I am a great fan of 1st edition and was very keen to get this new version. Thankfully not much has changed in the rules, just some clarifications made. Mancave Paul and Dux Homunculorum are keen for me to join them in building War of the Roses forces utilising LR. I am going to with the twist of my force being entirely made up of halflings and hobbits. Proud rose gardeners, when they heard that someone was having a rose war, they were super keen to get involved.

Obligatory gotcha photo

All I have to do now is dig through the lead mountain and find those unfinished projects. That shouldn't be difficult, in fact, it will be quite fun.

The War Library or "Why I Need A Reason To Paint"

 About a year ago I "retired" from my full time job in the games industry and got involved in a full time job in the games industry. 

Yes, I know that statement doesn't really make sense but the difference is that now I am working with a business partner and it is our business, doing what we want and hopefully making a positive difference to the hobby.

The War Library is our company.

What is different about The War Library is that not only do we sell a great range of new wargames miniatures, rules and supplies, we specialise in selling other people's collections too.

Let's face it, we all have those extra bits from projects that didn't quite make it, games and miniatures that we bought in a fit of enthusiasm only to find no-one else you knows was interested or even those extra units you bought as part of a deal but don't really need. We take them, sell them, and send you money. Simple.

Normally at this time of the year I would be prepping for the fantastic Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, an annual international event co-ordinated by Curt from Analogue Hobbies in Canada, and the Christmas event I am more excited about than Santa's visit. However, this year The War Library is keeping me so busy that I won't be able to participate.

However, I am going to "paint along" over roughly the same period. The AHPC runs from around December 20 to March 20 every year. You can prep (clean and undercoat) your miniatures but the actual painting must wait until the challenge starts. Handling all the miniatures collections we are selling through The War Library has made me realise that what I need to do is finish some half painted miniatures, fill out some units and get my armies closer to the tabletop.

So, starting December 1st, 2022 I am going to dedicate 1 hour every day to painting, basing or whatever needs to be done to get my armies on the table. I will not be awarding points, as done in AHPC, but publishing weekly (at least) pictures of my progress. Even if no-one reads this blog, I want to record it for myself.

This poor Persian has been waiting over a year for paint

I need a catchy name of course - "Ninety Day Painting Shred"? , "Christmas Crackers Painting Challenge"? , "Get Some Bloody Painting Done You Slow Bastard"? Hmm, not sure. I guess I have about two weeks to decide.

Wish me luck.